Oceanwide Expeditions confirms a Hondius sister newbuild

Polar Class 6 design

The 107-meter/350-foot ship will have the same passenger capacity as Hondius (174), a nearly identical size and design and, like Hondius, will be a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened vessel equivalent to a 1A super ice-class ship.

Like Hondius, Janssonius will come equipped with a number of advanced systems and features specifically designed for voyages throughout the Arctic, Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. These include a protected indoor Zodiac loading area that can also be used for sea-based activities such as kayaking, and there will be two separate gangways to further facilitate ship-to-shore operations. Stern and bow thrusters will also enable Janssonius to drift or remain comfortably stationary.

Flexible power management, shaft generator

Janssonius will be powered by two main engines delivering 4,200 kW and enabling speeds of up to 15 knots, the same as Hondius. And, like Hondius, the propulsion system of Janssonius will include an adjustable pitch propeller, flexible power management and a shaft generator as opposed to a diesel-driven generator. This will minimize fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Named for a cartographer

Like most of the ships in Oceanwide's fleet, Janssonius is named for a historic Dutch cartographer: Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664) was a map maker and publisher born in Arnhem who lived and worked primarily in Amsterdam.